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It’s that time of the year again, Ramadan has arrived. For one month, Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk.

During the fasting month, iftar is the most anticipated time of the day and is frequently seen as an opportunity to gather with friends, colleagues or family members.

Those looking for iftar spots located near Transjakarta or MRT stops may want to check Instagram account @darihalte_kehalte.

Though it was created only recently, @darihalte_kehalte has become quite popular as it shares information regarding restaurants or food stalls located near Transjakarta or MRT stops, helping netizens discover new places in their neighborhoods.

Cofounder of @darihalte_kehalte, Prabowo, said he was encouraged by a friend to create an Instagram account that featured food.

“I began to ride Transjakarta in December and was surprised to see the improvement,” he told The Jakarta Post, and that it inspired him to create an account that solely focused on food stalls near public transportation stops.

“We wanted to promote independent warung [food stalls] and MSME [micro, small and medium enterprises] that had no social media accounts. In the future, we hope [our Instagram account] can be a guide for foreign tourists visiting Jakarta,” he said.

Without further ado, below is the list of @darihalte_kehalte’s recommended iftar places.

Nasi Padang restaurants can be easily found across the capital, and Prabowo chose to take us to Nasi Lapau Jaya on Jl. Cikini 2 in Menteng, Central Jakarta.

To reach Nasi Lapau Jaya, you can use the commuter line and get off at Gondangdia Station and walk around 300 meters. Alternatively, you can also use Transjakarta and get off at Bunda Hospital.

Open at 5:30 p.m. until sahur during Ramadan, Nasi Lapau Jaya sits modestly on the roadside.

“It’s like a local version of a food truck,” said Prabowo.

Despite its modest setting, the dishes are no less delectable than foods served in proper restaurants.

During our visit, we ordered beef rendang. The chunky beef was tender yet not too soft. The thick gravy pampered our taste buds with its rich spices. As for the sambal hijau (green chili), it was not too spicy and left a tongue-tingling sensation, creating an enjoyable eating experience.

Where: Jl. Cikini 2, Menteng, Central Jakarta

Waroeng Joko Putra

Waroeng Joko Putra is another iftar place recommended by @darihalte_kehalte.

To reach the warung, one can board the MRT and get off at the Blok A station. Warung Joko Putra is quite easy to find as it is located 200 meters from the station.

Open from 5 p.m., Warung Joko Putra is a go-to place for those craving for nasi uduk (rice cooked in coconut milk) and deep fried foods.

During our visit, Prabowo asked us to try bebek goreng (fried duck).

“I’m quite choosy when it comes to bebek (duck). This one is odorless. The skin is crispy but the duck meat is tender,” he said.

When we tried the bebek, we had to agree with Prabowo. The tender duck meat was flavorful as it had been marinated for long hours.

Moreover, the fresh sambal terasi (chili with shrimp paste) was spicy enough but it did not overpower the duck meat. (wng)